Professional Book Nerds

We're not just book nerds. We're professional book nerds! We are staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks from public libraries and schools. It's our job to discuss books all day long so we thought, "Why not share the conversation!" Hear about the best books we've read, get recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. Every title discussed is available to borrow through public libraries. Get started reading at overdrive.com and subscribe to our podcast today!

James Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club series is our guest on the podcast today! Patterson, who is a big supporter of libraries, has recently launched his new BookShots line of books: these are fast paced, shorter reads that are offered in a wide range of genres but also feature some of his iconic characters like Alex Cross.

Our episode features Adam's interview with James Patterson which is followed by the press conference announcing/explaining more about the BookShots program. In the interview, Patterson discusses his book creation process and the importance of libraries and his own experiences in libraries growing up.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Today's podcast is a special episode related to the second Big Library Read pick of 2016. A couple of times a year, OverDrive offers users an opportunity to take part in a global book club through their library. Readers vote on the title and the winner for this round is A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain a mystery that involves an FBI agent sent back in time 200 years where she has to solve a murder.

Big Library Read officially kicks off June 23rd and in anticipation of the event, Adam sat down with Julie McElwain to talk about her debut novel A Murder in Time. When not writing fiction she works as the West Coast Editor for Soaps in Depth, a national soap opera magazine.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

For today's episode, Adam sits down with New York Times Bestselling author Brad Meltzer. His latest book House of Secrets, which traces a conspiracy theory related to Benedict Arnold, was a collaborative effort with Tod Goldberg. In this interview, Brad shares the experience of creating their strong woman character Hazel and the positive opportunity of writing with someone else. Along with his well-known thriller, Brad is the author behind the I Am.../Ordinary People Change the World juvenile collection and comics for younger audiences.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Tuesday! In today's episode, Adam sits down and talks with Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author whose newest book Ink and Bone is released today, June 7, 2016. Ink and Bone returns to The Hollows, the setting of several of her previous novels. she gives our listeners a glimpse into her writing process and how she disconnects when not writing.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In this week's episode, Jill is back and she talks with Adam and Kristin about fairy tales! We discuss what we think makes a fairy tale a fairy tale (which turns out to be a much harder question to answer than we originally thought!) and offer some of our favorite fairy tales, both long-standing original ones and modern retellings. As usual, we also offer some of our recent reads and forthcoming books we're looking forward to reading.

If you have a favorite fairy tale or have your own definition for what makes a fairy tale a fairy tale, please feel free to let us know at feedback@overdrive.com

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In this week's author interview, Adam talks with Ryan Graudin, young adult author of multiple books including Wolf by Wolf and its forthcoming sequel, Blood for Blood. She shares her writing process and she and Adam geek out over their shared love of fairy tales, tattoos, and travel.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In today's episode, Adam sits down with writer Jewell Parker Rhodes, an author who is familiar writing for both adults and juveniles/YA. Her forthcoming book, Towers Falling, is all about teaching the story of the 9/11 attacks to children who weren't born when it happened. Like all of Jewell's books, Towers Falling features a diverse cast of characters and touches on important themes and events in America's history. In this interview, she talks about what prompted her to write a book about the September 11th attacks and the real life classroom that inspired her.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Newcomers to the podcast Christina and Andrea join Adam to discuss their favorite Young Adult books and series. They also discuss why they think YA is such a popular genre. Christina and Andrea share their favorite types of characters and subgenres to read about, whether or not Christina would survive the Hunger Games and the importance of cake in her world. About halfway through we go into the YA books that make us cry and try to figure out why these books are able to move our emotions the way they do.

We also uncover some deep-seated struggles that Andrea and Christina have as friends in regard to whether it's appropriate to wait until a series is completed before you start reading it. Adam also unveils his love for all things Alice in Wonderland and we get sidetracked several times talking about baked goods.

Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into by subscribing to the podcast. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

May 5th marks the start of OverDrive's AudioSYNC program so the
OverDrive team is spending this episode talking about all things
audiobooks! if you ever visit our Blue Sky Campus and walk
around the office you'll see lots of staff members with headphones
on -- there's always a good chance that they are listening to an
audiobook. It's like being paid to read!

SYNC is a free summer audiobook program designed for teens 13
years of age and over. Each week between May 5th and August 17th,
users will be able to download two audiobooks per week and, best
part is, after the audiobooks have been downloaded, users get to
keep them! Reading in the summer can be challenging with busy
schedules and traveling plans, which can lead to a summer slump,
but with audiobooks, listeners can maintain their reading habits in
a different format. We also feature an interview with Michelle Cobb
from AudioFile magazine, OverDrive's partner in the SYNC
program.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book
nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading
app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries
and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized
recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that
we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on
Facebook and Twitter.

400 years ago this month, William Shakespeare shuffled off this mortal coil but the show must go on, so OverDrive's Professional Book Nerds are discussing the man behind the myth in our latest episode. We also talk about whether or not it really matters if William Shakespeare actually wrote all of the plays attributed to him. After all, what's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Regardless of reading choices, remember -- when the question is asked To Read Or Not To Read, the answer should always be to read!

Along with doing some Shakespeare fangirling, we cover all of the books we've recently read, some of the upcoming books we are (not so) patiently waiting for, and also offer tips on getting through book ennui.

If you have a favorite Shakespeare play and/or modern adaptation, please feel free to let us know at feedback@overdrive.com

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

This week we are back with another author interview, this time with bestselling author Matthew Quick, the man behind the popular The Silver Linings Playbook which was also adapted into the Academy Award nominated film. In his conversation with Adam, Matthew shares how Silver Linings Playbook became both a book and a movie (and not necessarily in the order you might think!) and also talks about his writing process and how he transitioned into writing Young Adult novels. His newest book Every Exquisite Thing will be released in May.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

April is National Poetry Month and some of the OverDrive staff is celebrating by having a themed episode where we share some of our favorite poems and poets and even read a couple of poems on air. The professional book nerds also share some non-poetry recent reads and forthcoming titles we are looking forward to reading.

In our latest author interview, OverDrive's Adam talks to New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson. She shares insights into her writing process, including what it's like working with her sister, fellow author Nancy Bush, and the challenges that come with writing about some really evil characters. Lisa also gives a list of some of her favorite books and recent reads.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In today's episode we are talking about two of our favorite non-fiction categories: feminist/women's studies titles and true crime! We also talk about all of the recent non-fiction books of all genres that we've read and the forthcoming books that have us super excited. In our intro, Adam shares some celebrity memoirs that he has recently read and enjoyed.

Share your own favorite women's studies and true crime titles by finding OverDrive on Facebook at facebook.com/OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter @OverDriveLibs or you can email the podcast directly at feedback@overdrive.com

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Book adaptations on the big and small screen are all the rage and several upcoming films have the OverDrive staff super excited. In this week's episode, Adam and Jill discuss their favorite page to screen titles, share favorites from some OverDrive users, and also talk about the upcoming adaptations they are most anxious to see.

Share your own favorite Page to Screen titles by finding OverDrive on Facebook at facebook.com/OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter @OverDriveLibs or you can email the podcast directly at feedback@overdrive.com

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Recently, local Cleveland author Dr. Lisa Damour stopped by the OverDrive offices to chat with Adam about her latest book Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood. She and Adam discuss the difficulties of raising young girls in the social media age and offers advice to parents concerned about their own daughters. But even if you aren't a parent of a teenage girl, we've all been teenagers and the book's subject matter is relevant for readers of all ages.

Lisa's own personal book recommendation is My Early Life by Winston Churchill.

Music

"Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bensound.com

Podcast Overview

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In today's episode we are talking all things Mystery! From cozy mysteries to suspense thrillers to everything in between, the Mystery genre features a multitude of sub-genres and the OverDrive staff librarians all have their favorite titles. Like our Romance episode, we also discuss clever punny titles that come out of this genre.

Our intro includes some emails in response to our recent Science Fiction and Fantasy episode with additional recommendations for our listeners. Email us at feedback@overdrive.com with your own comments and recommendations.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Today's podcast is a special episode related to the first Big Library Read pick of 2016. A couple of times a year, OverDrive offers users an opportunity to take part in a global book club through their library and this time the book choice is American Sniper by Chris Kyle, the man regarded as the most lethal sniper in United States Military History.

Big Library Read officially kicks off March 17th and in anticipation of the event, Adam sat down with Chris Kyle's widow Taya Kyle, who has written her own memoir, American Wife. Taya shares stories about her experiences as a military wife and what prompted Chris to write his book. She also discusses the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, which assists service members, first responders, and their families.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In this week's episode, Adam talks with Marie Bostwick, author of the popular Cobbled Quilt and Too Much, Texas series. Her new book, From Here to Home, comes out at the end of March and along with discussing that novel's unique protagonist Mary Dell Templeton, Marie also shares how she became the writer she is today, which happened almost accidentally. She also offers some really fantastic tips to all the writer's out there on how to achieve their own writing goals. Her love of reading and libraries started at an early age and she tells Adam about how she became the youngest card carrying member of her local library as a child.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In our ninth episode we are talking all things science fiction and fantasy! If you're not familiar with either genre that's okay because some of the recent reads that Jill, Quinton, and Rachel K. mention include some non-genre picks as well before discussing the differences between science fiction and fantasy. From there, they offer their best picks for those new to either genre and the differences between hard and soft science fiction. Quinton offers some readalikes for those who enjoyed The Martian and the trio share their favorite fantasy novels before discussing the forthcoming titles they are most excited to read.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In our second author interview, Adam interviews Sunil Yapa, author of Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist, which takes place over one day during the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle. Sunil shares why he chose that moment in history as the setting for his novel and gives some background and history of the protests. He also gives Adam and listeners a glimpse into his writing process and how some of his own life experiences were woven into the fictional characters he has created. Adam also asks him about what can only be described as a writer's worst nightmare: losing a manuscript, which happened to Sunil with the original 600 page draft of the book. But rewriting the novel offered Sunil the opportunity to reexamine his characters and focus on the ones that he was truly invested in.

Along with talking about her own book, Sunil shares memories of going to the library as a child and being a voracious readers, including reading Stephen King's IT at 12 or 13 and being terrified, but also loving The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner so the staff librarians here at OverDrive decided to dedicate an episode to the Romance genre. But because we are all such well-rounded readers, we cover more than just your typical "bodice rippers," discussing some young adult titles and Amish romances, but also titles perfect for Galentine's Day and those single on this particular holiday. Of course, we can't discuss the Romance genre without mentioning some of our favorite punny titles as well.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Thursday, February 4th marks the second annual Harry Potter Book Night and the OverDrive staff is celebrating! We are a company full of Harry Potter fans and in today's episode, two Ravenclaws, a Gryffindor, and a Slytherin share how they first got into J.K. Rowling's series, remember standing in line at midnight book releases, and, of course, discuss the movies versus the books. You'll also get to hear which books are our favorites and why. With ALA's annual conference in Orlando this summer, there is also talk about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios Florida.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

In our fifth episode, host Jill is joined by Adam and Sheila as they discuss some of the top award winners to come out of 2016 ALA Midwinter conference as well as some of the titles they've recently finished reading. Our reader recommendations are pulled from some of our Twitter followers and we also spend time remembering the late great David Bowie and Alan Rickman.

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.

Today's episode features OverDrive's own social media guru Adam as he interviews Marieke Nijkamp, Dutch author of the brand new YA novel This Is Where It Ends which focuses on the terrifying 54 minutes of a school shooting as seen through the eyes of four different perspectives.

Marieke discusses her writing and research process as well as the incident that proved to be the catalyst for her debut novel. A strong advocate of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, Marieke shares her own personal perspective of why diversity in literature, and especially YA literature, is so very important.

Along with talking about her own book, Marieke offers her own book recommendations for our podcast listeners. Some of her recent reads and favorite books are as follows:

We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter.